Don't Worry Be Happy (Wanda Jackson album)

Don't Worry Be Happy is a studio album by American recording artist Wanda Jackson. It was released in 1989 via Amethyst Records and contained 12 tracks. It was Jackson's thirty fifth studio recording released in her career and the third issued on the Amethyst label. Don't Worry Be Happy was a collection of gospel songs, including the title track, which was first recorded as a pop song by Bobby McFerrin.

Don't Worry Be Happy
Studio album by Wanda Jackson
Released	1989 (1989)
Studio	Studio Seven
Genre	Gospel^[1]
Label	Amethyst
Producer	Gregg W. Gray
Wanda Jackson chronology
Encore (1988) Don't Worry Be Happy (1989) Live in Scandinavia (1989)

Background, content and release

During the 1950s and 1960s, Wanda Jackson became among the first women to have commercial success in the country and Rockabilly music genres. Her popular singles included "Fujiyama Mama", "Let's Have a Party", "Right or Wrong" and "Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine". In the 1970s, she left her long-time record label to concentrate on gospel music.^[2] With her commercial success behind her, Jackson released recordings through the 1980s on a series of labels, including Amethyst Records.^[3] This included her third Amethyst release, Don't Worry Be Happy. The album was recorded in 1989 at Studio Seven, a recording venue located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The sessions were produced by Gregg W. Gray.^[1]

Don't Worry Be Happy was a collection of ten gospel songs. The title track was a gospel reworking of Bobby McFerrin's pop hit. The album also included a cover version of Cristy Lane's "One Day at a Time".^[1] Several tracks were re-packaged for Don't Worry Be Happy. The latter song, "Don't Be Afraid", "This World Is Not My Home", "Jesus Put a Yodel in My Soul" and "Where Are the Babies" were first included on Jackson's 1984 studio album Teach Me to Love.^[4] Several new recordings were also included, such as "She Broke Her Promise" and "Instrument of Power".^[1] The project was released on Amethyst Records^[5] as a cassette. Five songs were included on either side of the tape. It was thirty fifth studio release of Jackson's career.^[1]

Track listing

Side one^[1]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Don't Worry, Be Happy"
2.	"Jesus Don't Need You, Hollywood"
3.	"This World Is Not My Home"
4.	"Jesus Put a Yodel in My Soul"
5.	"She Broke Her Promise"

Side two^[1]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Instrument of Power"
2.	"One Day at a Time"
3.	"Consider the Lillies"
4.	"Don't Be Afraid"
5.	"Where Are the Babies"

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Don't Worry Be Happy.^[1]

Musical and technical personnel

• Ken Collins – Guitar
• Rocky Gribble – Banjo, guitar
• Gregg W. Gray – Background vocals, producer
• Wanda Jackson – Lead vocals
• Melodee Johnson – Background vocals
• Carolyn McCoy – Background vocals
• Mike Shelton – Background vocals
• Marty Shrabel – Bass
• Ric Wright – Guitar
• Lynn Williams – Drums
• Steve Wright – Drums

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	1989	Cassette	Amethyst Records	^[1]

References

1. Jackson, Wanda (1989). "Don't Worry Be Happy (Cassette Liner Notes and Album Information)". Amethyst Records. AR-8901.
2. Wolff, Kurt. "Wanda Jackson: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
3. Bomar, Scott; Jackson, Wanda (2017). Every night is Saturday night : a country girl's journey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. United States: BMG. p. 278-279. ISBN 9781947026070.
4. Jackson, Wanda (1984). "Teach Me to Love (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". Vine Records. VI-10682-LP.
5. Medley, Robert (July 14, 1989). "Rock Shares Gospel Time". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 19 August 2021.